What Does a Physical Therapist Do?

Posted by

Christine Koth

on

May 5, 2020

More than 120 million Americans have an injury or painful condition in the bones, muscles, or joints. These conditions can be painful and debilitating, and they often call for physical therapy. Odds are that at some point in your life, you’ve likely been part of the group of Americans with some sort of long-term physical injury or condition. It’s also likely that you’ve been recommended physical therapy. But what do physical therapists do, exactly?

Physical therapy is a broad term that’s used to describe the treatment of painful injuries or conditions by implementing physical methods instead of surgery or extensive medication. It is a massive category, though, and each physical therapist has their own approach.

Some physical therapists opt for traditional methods or recommend exercise routines, while others (like myself!) prefer a holistic route that takes into account the whole person when considering treatment and solutions.

For so many people, one of the most frustrating things about physical therapy is that it can sometimes feel unproductive, and many patients eventually give up on physical therapy. If you feel like your physical therapist doesn’t quite understand your problem, you’re not alone. Often, though, the solution isn’t to give up on physical therapy, but rather to find someone who can truly listen and understand and address your issue.

I practice holistic physical therapy, which is the practice of looking at the whole person; from your diet to stress levels and your job, I take everything into account to figure out how to help you feel better. In this article, you’ll be able to get a better idea of what I do as a physical therapist and how it might be able to get you on track to successfully manage your condition or injury.

How Do I Know if I Need To See a Physical Therapist?

Everyone’s physical situation is different, and the need to see a physical therapist (as well as the type of treatment) varies by person. However, there are plenty of reasons you should probably see a physical therapist. A long-term or serious injury, chronic pain, and physical disorders are all reasons to get some extra help feeling your best.

If you’re on the fence about seeing a physical therapist, it’s probably a good idea to go see one! Remember that it’s not a quick fix and it’s more of an evaluative process, but talking with a physical therapist should give you a better idea of your current situation and some things you can do to help improve upon your physical condition. The first step is the evaluation. This first visit will give you a clear idea of the core reasons why you are experiencing your issue and a clear plan forward on what to do about it.

A great physical therapist can make all the difference in the world and a holistic approach is a big bonus. Let’s talk a little more about how a holistic approach may be the missing link you have been searching for.

What Makes Holistic Physical Therapy Different?

Holistic physical therapy differs from standard physical therapy in a number of ways. One of the most important things to know about holistic therapy is that a holistic therapist won’t just be hyper-focused on your injury, but instead a good holistic therapist will consider your lifestyle, diet, and a wide range of other factors.

Things like stress and nutrition can affect our bodies and our injuries a lot more than we think, and holistic therapy is about addressing all of life’s surrounding forces that could be affecting your physical health! A good holistic physical therapist has a working knowledge of alternative and complementary approaches so that all the pieces of the puzzle are addressed. The holistic physical therapist may not personally address each of these other pieces of the puzzle, but they will confidently know how to find the perfect person to refer to that does so masterfully.

A big part of physical therapy is understanding that it is a process, not a quick fix. Only 35% of patients adhere to exercise regimens that their physical therapist provides, which is a telling number. In my holistic practice, I focus on a hands-on approach that’s more than just a simple exercise routine. You will be given exercises and movement practices but only a small handful of the absolutely essential ones, not handouts upon handouts of them.

Another part of my process is working with other professionals in the health and wellness industry to help you feel as good as you can. I work with chiropractors, naturopaths, and other specialists who can best identify and come up with plans to treat your injury or condition in a holistic way.

The bottom line? A physical therapist’s goal is to help you feel better by improving upon whatever injuries or conditions might be bothering you. There are an infinite number of ways to go about that process, and proper treatment and methods will look different for everyone. Holistic physical therapy is an option that sees the big picture viewpoint, seeing the person as whole and offering solutions that are multifaceted.

I advocate for holistic physical therapy because it allows me to evaluate your situation from this big picture viewpoint, seeing how each piece of the puzzle contributes to the whole. I work with other professionals that see you as a human, not as a condition. If you’re interested in learning more about the holistic approach and how you can understand your physical conditions better, check out the rest of my blog here.

If you are interested in discovering if holistic physical therapy is for you, you can schedule an in person or virtual evaluation here.

‍

FAQ

How could the BioMat help me?

The BioMat facilitates healing, relaxation, detoxification, and immune support. Many conditions can be assisted through these processes. It can also be helpful for sleep issues. Once you experience the biomat, you will want to experience it again. To Purchase a BioMat or for more information visit:
https://wellnesspt.biomatnetwork.com

Why are the amethyst crystals important?

For thousands of years and across many cultures, amethyst has been thought to calm and clear the mind. We have no direct mechanism to explain this effect. Nevertheless, most people report an improved mood and less anxiety after a BioMat treatment. Amethyst also has a low specific heat and so it cannot store heat very well. It must shed excess heat in the form of infrared light. Other infrared devices use carbon or ceramic “lamps,” which are less efficient, producing light with shorter wavelengths and lower intensity.

What are negative ions?

Negative Ions (NIs) are sometimes referred to as nature’s energizer. At a molecular level, these NIs deliver a massage which accelerates and deepens all healing and cleansing processes. NIs also balance pH by decreasing acidity. This activates the body’s entire cellular communication system resulting in more efficient all-body functions. Ions balance the absorption of nutrients and elimination of waste in cells. When that balance is off due to the overwhelming presence of positive ions in the environment, our cells are unable to maintain this important function, resulting in illness and disease. Negative ions are particles in the air that have an extra electron. They are plentiful near large quantities of moving water such as rainstorms, waterfalls or the ocean. As antioxidants, these particles tend to donate their extra electron, and this can directly cancel oxidation in the body. When the BioMat is turned on, it produces these ions on its surface to transmit the healing effects of these pristine, natural settings.

What is far infrared light?

Infrared light is similar to normal light, but its wavelength is too long for our eyes to detect. Far infrared light has an even longer wavelength and transfers heat very efficiently. It is why sunlight feels warm. It can penetrate 6-8 inches into the body, and because of this, these rays not only benefit the surface, but all cells including blood vessels, lymph glands and nerves in the deepest parts of our body. This deeply penetrating heat speeds cellular metabolism, reduces pain and quickly heals injuries. In comparison, heat transferred merely by conduction (contact) or convection (airflow) does not heat an object deeply or evenly throughout. Amethyst was found to be ideal for the purpose of converting conductive heat into far infrared light.

What is a BioMat?

A BioMat can be used as a part of your treatment session. It’s a mat that you can lay upon, made of amethyst crystals and advanced technology to deliver a healing effect. It utilizes negative ions and far infrared light that shines through the amethyst crystals to penetrate our body 6-8 inches deep. This results in a deep heating sensation which results in stimulation of cells to heal and regenerate. It also increases circulation, detoxification, and immune function.

Is there any pain or side effects associated with Class IV laser therapy?

The laser should be painless and has no side effects when applied by a properly trained professional. During the treatment the patient experiences a gentle warming effect and at times, a profound feeling of relaxation. Muscle stiffness may be felt the following day. Occasionally some old injuries or pain may feel aggravated for a few days as the healing response is more active after treatment.

What are the risks?

When it comes to pain management, laser treatments are extremely safe and can provide amazing results. Laser treatments should never be given directly over the eye or the thyroid gland. Laser treatment is entirely safe to deliver directly over metal implants, over broken skin, and on acute injuries.

This pain-free, non-surgical approach works by stimulating the body’s natural healing process, providing pain relief and repairing injured tissues. Photons of infrared light penetrate through the skin and are absorbed by special components in your body’s cells called chromophores. Just as photosynthesis creates energy for plants to grow, the absorption of the photons by your cells causes increased production of cellular energy. Vitamin D is another example of the photochemical process and how light affects cells.
Using infrared light in areas of damage or injury means there is more available energy for accelerated healing. This is called biostimulation. Because of its biostimlatory nature, laser therapy helps poorly functioning cells by providing available energy to accelerate healing. Laser energy increases ATP production (cellular energy) and circulation, which draws water, oxygen and nutrients to the damaged area. As the injured area returns to normal, function is restored and pain is relieved. Patients treated with laser therapy often show improvement both during and after treatment in the following ways:
Reduced Inflammation Reduced Muscle Spasms Reduced Stiffness Reduced Pain Nerve Regeneration Improved Lymph Flow Improved Circulation Reduced Scar Tissue Relaxation Improve Joint Motion Antimicrobial Improved Immune Response Accelerated Cell Growth and Tissue Repair

What is Laser Therapy?

The Class IV Therapeutic Laser is a remarkable new device used for the treatment of acute and chronic conditions to accelerate the healing process. It offers non-invasive treatment for improving many types of pain and injuries. It is an effective alternative to surgical procedures, does not require the use of drugs and has virtually no side effects.
The Class IV Therapeutic Laser is the strongest therapeutic laser currently on the market, the result of vast improvements in laser power output and penetration abilities. This laser offers up 4-inches of penetration depth safely thus providing deeper tissue penetration for improved results in a shorter amount of time.

What is a Trigger Point

Trigger Point develop in muscles that have been overused or tight. A contracted area of the muscle creates a painful muscle that can sometimes cause pain in other areas when used or pressed upon. Treatments like Trigger Point Release, Strain Counterstrain, Frequency Specific Microcurrent, Class IV Therapeutic Laser, and postural changes can all be great tools to resolve trigger points.

What is Strain Counterstrain

Developed by osteopath Lawrence Jones, this noninvasive treatment helps interrupt the pain-producing muscle spasms your body creates to protect you from sudden injury or chronic use problems. By quickly and gently scanning and placing your body briefly (up to 90 seconds) in relaxed positions, the therapist can help your body break the protective pain cycle. Because the reflex is interrupted, you are able to move and function more freely, allowing you to return to regular physical goals and activities. Instruction in performing simple passive positions is often provided so you know how to support and treat yourself as needed.

Craniosacral Therapy is performed on a person fully clothed. Using a light touch, the practitioner monitors the rhythm of the craniosacral system to detect potential restrictions and imbalances. The therapist then uses delicate manual techniques to release those problem areas and relieve undue pressure on the brain and spinal cord.

What is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral Therapy is gentle method of detection and correction that encourages your own natural healing mechanisms. This treatment dissipates the negative effects of stress on your central nervous system and promotes better overall health and resistance to disease. The craniosacral system consists of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord. It extends from the bones of the skull, face and mouth, which make up the cranium, down to the sacrum, or tailbone area.

What can I expect with Myofascial Release?

Myofascial Release is a very effective way of treating fascial restrictions. You may be treated in areas that you may not think are related to your condition. If it is restricted through the neck to the arm, your therapist may apply a very gentle traction to the arm, very slowly moving the arm through a range as restrictions are released. You may leave after the first treatment feeling like nothing happened. Later (even a day later) you may begin to feel the effects of the treatment. Frequently there is increased pain for several hours to a day after treatment, followed by remarkable improvement. Sometimes new pains in new areas will be experienced. There is sometimes a feeling of light-headedness or nausea. Sometimes patients experience a temporary emotion change. All of these are normal reactions of the body to the profound, but positive changes that have occurred by releasing fascial restrictions. It is felt that release of tight tissues is accompanied by a release of trapped metabolic waste products into the surrounding tissues and into the blood stream. We highly recommend that you “flush your system” by drinking a lot of water during your course of treatment so that the reactions will remain minimal and your body will respond better.

What happens when fascia is injured?

Because fascia permeates all regions of the body and is all interconnected, when it scars and hardens in one area (following injury, inflammation, disease, surgery, etc.), it can put tension on adjacent pain-sensitive structures as well as on structures in far-away areas. Some patients have bizarre pain symptoms that appear to be unrelated to the original or primary complaint. These bizarre pain symptoms can now often be understood in relationship to our understanding of the fascial system.

What is fascia?

Fascia (also called connective tissue) is a tissue system of the body to which relatively little attention has been given in the past. Fascia is composed of two types of fibers, collagenous fibers which are very tough and have little stretchability and elastic fibers, which are stretchable. From the functional point of view, the fascia may be regarded as a continuous laminated sheet of connective tissue that extends, without interruption, from the tip of the head to the tip of the toes. It surrounds and invades every tissue and organ of the body, including nerves, vessels, muscle and bone. Fascia is denser in some areas than others. Dense fascia is easily recognizable (for example, fascia is the though white membrane that we often find surrounding butchered meat).

What is Myofascial Release?

“Myo” means muscle and “Fascial” refers to the fascia. Myofascial Release is generally a mild and gentle form of stretching that has a profound effect upon the body tissues.

What can I do about the side effects?

Your practitioner may give you some supplements to help your liver detoxify and deal with the byproducts released from the tissues. You should drink at least 1-2 quarts of water within 2 hours before and another 1-2 quarts of water within the 2 hours after the treatment.

What are the typical side effects?

Resonance appears to change the tissue, removing long stored waste products and increasing cellular metabolism so quickly, that there may be a detoxification reaction after treatment. Some people have a similar reaction after a massage, but the reaction after Microcurrent is stronger because so much is done in a short period of time. Side effects can include nausea, fatigue, drowsiness, a temporary increase in pain, or a flu-like feeling. The side effects usually start about 90 minutes after treatment and may last from 4 to 24 hours. When a treatment results in increased range of motion and physical activity, there may be temporary symptoms in muscles and joints near the treated area. Not everyone has side effects.

What are the risks?

There is no record of any permanent harm being done to anyone treated with Frequency Specific Microcurrent. The current should not be used during pregnancy. If you have a spinal cord injury or a disc bulge, be sure to tell your practitioner. Patients will pressure on the spinal cord seem to have a magnified version of the normal side effects of treatment. All reactions to the treatment have been temporary. Please tell your practitioner of any reactions that you perceive during and after treatment.

How does Frequency Specific Microcurrent help with acute injuries?

Performing Frequency Specific Microcurrent to an acute injury or post-surgically seems to assist with the swelling and healing times. There seems to be even more effectiveness if the injury is treated within 4 hours of injury or surgery. After the 12-hour mark, it seems that the healing proceeds as expected, but with an accelerated rate.

What types of conditions can be helped by Frequency Specific Microcurrent?

Research studies have shown effectiveness with inflammation, certain types of fibromyalgia, myofascial pain and trigger points. Although there have not yet been published studies in other areas, there have been case studies and testimonials for many other injuries and illnesses. Ask your practitioner if your condition can be helped.

Do the benefits last?

Every patient responds individually, but the changes to the muscles seem to be long lasting. About 60-80% of the changes created in one treatment last until the next treatment 4-7 days later. However, your tissues can get used to being in their injured state and may return to that state if they are not treated again. Although patients have had permanent changes in one treatment, the average number of treatments depends on the complexity of the problem. Nutritional support tailored to your condition will also help create lasting change.

How do the frequencies work?

It is believed that the frequencies work on the principle of biological resonance. A singer can shatter a glass when the note resonates with the crystal structure of the glass. Microcurrent frequencies seem to be able to resonate with biological tissue when the frequency is correct. Once the tissue is changed and stable, it seems to be able to stay in the new configuration with proper nutritional support. Research confirms that the frequency for inflammation reduces inflammation by 62% in a mouse model while prescription drugs reduce inflammation by 45% in the same mouse research.

What do the different frequencies do?

It has been observed that specific frequencies of Microcurrent seem to do specific things to the muscles and other tissues. We can’t be certain exactly what the frequencies are doing because there haven’t been many studies yet to confirm these effects. It has been observed, however, that the tissue will suddenly soften and become less painful when a “correct” frequency is chosen. This softening and the associated pain relief seems to be long lasting and, in many cases, permanent. The practitioner may also use frequencies that are thought to be good for your whole system, not just the muscles.

How does Microcurrent work?

Your body seems to use Microcurrent energy to increase its own energy production. “Microcurrent increases the production of ATP, your own chemical energy, by up to 500%. It also increases protein synthesis and waste product removal.” – Cheng, 1987

What is Microcurrent?

Microcurrent is a physical therapy modality. It is electrical current with an intensity in microamps (millionths of an amp). By comparison, a TENS unit and most other electro-therapies produce milliamps, a 1000 times greater intensity than Microcurrent. The current intensity with Microcurrent is so low that it doesn’t stimulate sensory nerves, so you can’t feel it.